Detection of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation using a vapor cell sensor and comb spectrum.

Abstract

In general aspects, a vapor cell sensor can be used to detect radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation. In some aspects, the system includes a laser system configured to generate a laser signal including first and second laser signals. The system also includes an optical comb generator and a vapor cell sensor. The optical comb generator is configured to generate a comb spectrum based on the first laser signal. The comb spectrum includes comb lines at respective comb frequencies. The vapor cell sensor contains vapor and is configured to generate an optical spectrum based on the interaction of the vapor with the comb spectrum and the second laser signal. The system also includes an optical detector configured to detect characteristics of the optical spectrum at one or more of the comb frequencies.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 392,404, entitled “Detecting Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation Using Vapor Cell Sensors,” filed on 26 July 2022. This application also claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 296,307, entitled “Detecting Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation Using Vapor Cell Sensors and Comb Spectra,” filed on 5 April 2023. The disclosures of these priority-claiming applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] The following description concerns the detection of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation using a vapor cell sensor. [Overview of the project]

[0003] A vapor cell sensor may contain vapor or gas within a sealed volume, such as a volume defined by a chamber. The vapor or gas can be used as a medium to interact with radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation incident on the vapor cell sensor. A beam of light, such as that generated by a laser, can be passed through the vapor or gas to probe and measure its reaction to the RF electromagnetic radiation. In this way, the vapor cell sensor can detect RF electromagnetic radiation, which can often be useful in determining the characteristics of the RF electromagnetic radiation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0004] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example system for detecting radio frequency electromagnetic radiation. [Figure 2A]This is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary vapor cell sensor positioned in close proximity to an antenna configured to generate RF electromagnetic radiation. [Figure 2B] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary electronic energy level structure for two-photon measurements based on vaporized Rb atoms. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary electronic energy level structure for two-photon measurements based on vapor-state Cs atoms using a frequency comb. [Figure 4A] This graph shows example comb spectra determined by simulation (top) and experiment (bottom). [Figure 4B] This figure shows an enlarged section of the graph in Figure 4A, illustrating the individual teeth of an example comb spectrum measured experimentally and a simulated example comb spectrum in the frequency range of 150.00 MHz to 150.10 MHz. [Figure 4C] This graph shows an example of an electromagnetically induced transmission peak, calculated using a frequency comb, in the absence of an RF electromagnetic field and with both the probe laser and coupling laser locked. [Figure 4D] This graph shows an example of an electromagnetically induced transmission peak, using a frequency comb, in the absence of an RF electromagnetic field and with both the probe laser and coupling laser unlocked. [Figure 4E] This graph shows an example of electromagnetically induced transmission peaks collected continuously using a frequency comb. [Figure 5] This graph shows an example of asymmetry in three frequency combs altered by background absorption of Cs vapor in a vapor cell. [Figure 6A] This graph shows an example of peak splitting using an Autoler-Townes frequency comb, which is achieved by increasing the strength of the RF electromagnetic field. [Figure 6B] This graph shows an example of peak amplitude difference using an amplitude-based frequency comb, obtained by increasing the strength of the RF electromagnetic field. [Figure 6C] In both the Autoler-Townes method and the amplitude method,

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0005] In a general aspect, the present specification describes a system capable of detecting radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation. In many implementations, the system includes a vapor cell sensor configured to detect RF electromagnetic radiation using a vapor having one or more atomic Rydberg states. The vapor can change electromagnetic induced transparency (EIT) or electromagnetic induced absorption (EIA) when interacting with RF electromagnetic radiation. These changes can change the optical transmission spectrum of the vapor. The system also includes an optical comb generator configured to generate a comb spectrum in response to receiving a beam of light (e.g., a beam of laser light). The comb spectrum includes comb lines at respective comb frequencies and is used to probe the vapor at a plurality of comb frequencies.

[0006] Detecting RF electromagnetic fields using atomic Rydberg states is a promising, highly sensitive technique that can yield exceptional detection bandwidth. Vapor cell sensors containing Rydberg atomic or molecular vapor can also provide an all-dielectric structure that minimizes disturbances to the RF electromagnetic field. In contrast, antennas are typically composed of metallic materials and can distort the RF electromagnetic field. In some cases, the systems described herein detect the RF electromagnetic field using a vapor cell sensor and an optical comb generator in part. When in operation, the optical comb generator generates an optical signal that detects (e.g., measures) the optical properties of the vapor, including changes in vapor transparency induced by the RF electromagnetic field. The optical signal corresponds to a comb spectrum with comb lines at each comb frequency. In many implementations, the system includes a probe laser and a coupling laser. The optical comb generator receives a probe beam of light from the probe laser to produce the comb spectrum. The coupling laser generates a coupling beam of light tuned to the Rydberg excited state of the vapor.

[0007] In some implementations, self-heterodyne spectroscopy is achieved by mixing the comb spectrum with a local oscillator signal obtained from a probe laser and shifted by an acousto-optic modulator. In some variations, an electro-optic modulator and an arbitrary waveform generator are used to emit a chirp sine function. The chirp sine function can generate a flat frequency comb spectrum, for example, with a tooth spacing of 10 kHz and a frequency span of 100 MHz. In these variations, the electromagnetically induced transmission line shape can be resolved to a linewidth of less than 5 MHz, both with and without laser locking. Furthermore, the Autoler-Townes resolving of the transmission peak can be measured, with a value of 2.3 μV·cm. -1 Hz -1 / 2 With a sensitivity of 66 μV·cm -1Very low RF electromagnetic fields can be detected. The corresponding detection method often requires no tuning of either the probe laser or the coupling laser, and low laser drift is acceptable, thus offering significant simplification to Autoler-Townes splitting readout. Furthermore, this detection method enables the detection of pulsed RF electromagnetic fields (e.g., their amplitude) when the incident RF electromagnetic field splits the electromagnetically induced transmission peaks by the Autoler-Townes process.

[0008] Referring next to Figure 1, a schematic diagram of an exemplary system 100 for detecting radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation is shown. In some implementations, the exemplary system 100 uses an electron-optical comb for Rydberg atom-based electrical measurements by EIT-based or EIA-based transmission spectra. In some implementations, the exemplary system 100 performs self-calibrated absolute power measurements by measuring the frequency division of the spectral line shape. The spectral line shape is based on the precise electronic transitions of the vapor, and therefore, measurements based on its features (e.g., frequency division) are self-calibrated. The frequency division can correspond to the separation of two peaks in the spectral line shape, an example of which is shown in the lower right portion of Figure 2B. In these implementations, the exemplary system 100 can experimentally measure the value of the frequency division, for example, by the operation of an optical detector. The exemplary system 100 can then use this measurement to determine the electric field strength of the RF electromagnetic radiation interacting with the vapor. Equation (1), described below, is used to determine the electric field strength (E) of the RF electromagnetic radiation by the measurement (e.g., Ω). RF This shows an example of how it can be used. Other types of applications and measurements are also possible.

[0009] The exemplary system 100 includes a laser system 102 configured to generate a laser signal (e.g., a beam of laser light) including first and second laser signals 104, 106 (e.g., first and second beams of laser light). For example, the laser system 102 may include a probe laser 102a and a coupling laser 102b configured to generate a probe laser signal 104 and a coupling laser signal 106, respectively. Examples of such lasers include semiconductor lasers, fiber lasers, and amplified lasers. The probe laser 102a and coupling laser 102b may optionally be locked to their respective reference frequencies. The laser system 102 may also optionally include a third laser configured to generate a third laser signal. Additional lasers are also possible. The exemplary system 100 may include optical components such as lenses, mirrors, diffraction gratings, and beam splitters to define one or more optical paths of the laser signal. Figure 1 shows two mirrors 108a and 108b for directing the coupling laser signal 106 along an optical path 110 opposite the probe laser signal 104 (or a derivative thereof). However, other numbers and configurations of optical paths are also possible.

[0010] The exemplary system 100 also includes a vapor cell sensor 112 having vapor inside. In many cases, the vapor is a vapor of Rydberg atoms or molecules, such as a gas of Group IA atoms (e.g., Cs or Rb). The vapor cell sensor 112 may also have a body or housing that seals an internal volume for containing the vapor. The body or housing can be formed from a dielectric material such as silicon, silicon oxide, or borosilicate glass. Other dielectric materials are also possible. Exemplary configurations of the vapor cell sensor 112, including examples of dielectric materials, are described in U.S. Patent No. 10,859,981, entitled “Vapor Cells Having One or More Optical Windows Bonded to a Dielectric Body”.

[0011] In some modified configurations, the probe laser signal 104 has a probe frequency matched to the probe photoelectron transition of the vapor, and the coupling laser signal 106 has a coupling frequency matched to the coupling photoelectron transition of the vapor. The coupling photoelectron transition may share energy levels common to the probe photoelectron transition. For example, the vapor may include first, second, and third electronic energy levels, each with progressively higher energy. The probe photoelectron transition can be defined by a first energy gap between the first and second electronic energy levels, and the coupling photoelectron transition can be defined by a second energy gap between the second and third electronic energy levels. However, other configurations of electronic energy levels are also possible (e.g., configurations in which one or more subsequent electronic energy levels are lower than the initial electronic energy level).

[0012] In these modified embodiments, the vapor includes RF electronic transitions configured to alter the absorption of light by one or both of the probe and coupling photoelectron transitions in response to the absorption of RF electromagnetic radiation. The RF electronic transitions may correspond to electronic transitions defined by a pair of electronic energy levels, at least one of which is different from the first, second, and third electronic energy levels. The RF electronic transitions may each have a third energy gap smaller than the first and second energy gaps of the first and second photoelectron transitions. In a modified embodiment, the laser system 102 is configured to generate laser signals in addition to the probe laser signal and coupling laser signals 104, 106, the additional laser signals may have frequencies matched to the different photoelectron transitions of the vapor. In certain cases, the absorption of light by these photoelectron transitions may also be altered by the RF electronic transitions.

[0013] Figure 2A shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary vapor cell sensor 200 positioned in close proximity to an antenna 202 configured to generate RF electromagnetic radiation. The exemplary vapor cell sensor 200 is configured to receive an input optical signal (e.g., a laser signal) and generate one or more output optical signals in response. In Figure 2A, the exemplary vapor cell sensor 200 receives a probe laser signal 204 and a coupling laser signal 206. The probe laser signal 204 and the coupling laser signal 206 are generated by their respective lasers. Examples of such lasers include semiconductor lasers, fiber lasers, amplified lasers, and tunable semiconductor lasers. The probe laser signal 204 and the coupling laser signal 206 pass through the exemplary vapor cell sensor 200 along a common optical path. The direction of propagation along the common optical path may be the same for both beams. However, in some modified embodiments, such as those shown in Figure 2A, the laser signals travel in opposite directions along the common optical path. Other optical shapes are possible by angular tuning the laser signals to eliminate Doppler shift.

[0014] While passing through the exemplary vapor cell sensor 200, the probe laser signal and the coupling laser signals 204, 206 interact with the vapor contained within the sealed container of the exemplary vapor cell sensor 200. The face 208 of the sealed container opposite the antenna 202 can be formed of a dielectric material that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation and thereby functions as a window for electromagnetic radiation. The other faces of the sealed container can also be formed of a dielectric material. Along with the reception of the probe laser signal 204 and the coupling laser signal 206, the exemplary vapor cell sensor 200 can also receive RF electromagnetic radiation from the antenna 202 through the face 208 of the sealed container. The RF electromagnetic radiation can change the optical transmission of the probe laser signal 204 passing through the exemplary vapor cell sensor 200, which is detected (e.g., measured) by an optical detector 210 (e.g., a photodiode). The measurement of the optical transmission or the probe laser signal 204 can enable the exemplary vapor cell sensor 200 to detect and measure the characteristics of the RF electromagnetic radiation. In many cases, this change occurs because the RF electromagnetic radiation changes the absorption coefficient of the vapor (e.g., with respect to the wavelength of the probe laser signal 204).

[0015] The measurement of the characteristics of the RF electromagnetic radiation can depend on two or more photoelectron transitions associated with the vapor. For example, FIG. 2B shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic energy level structure for two-photon measurements based on Rb atoms in the vapor state. In FIG. 2B, a laser beam is used to access the photoelectron transitions from 5S 1 / 2 to 5P 3 / 2 and from 5P 3 / 2 to 53D 5 / 2 For example, a probe laser signal having a frequency of approximately 780 nm can be used to access the photoelectron transition from 5S 1 / 2 to 5P 3 / 2 and a laser beam having a frequency of approximately 780 nm can be used to access the photoelectron transition from 5P 3 / 2 to 53D 5 / 2A coupling laser signal with a frequency of approximately 480 nm can be used to access the photoelectron transition to Rb vapor. However, other types of lasers or laser systems can also be used. The inset in the lower right of Figure 2B shows the spectral lineshape of the optical transmission of the probe laser signal through Rb vapor. The upper part of the inset corresponds to the absence of RF electromagnetic radiation, and the lower part corresponds to the presence of RF electromagnetic radiation. Thus, the inset shows that the spectral lineshape can change when RF electromagnetic radiation interacts with Rb vapor. In some cases, such as shown in Figure 2B, the frequency range of the spectral lineshape is centered on the frequency of the probe laser signal. In some cases, the spectral lineshape is symmetrical with respect to this center.

[0016] During the measurement of RF electromagnetic radiation, the transmission of light from the probe laser 204 is recorded in the presence of light from the coupling laser 206. For example, RF electromagnetic radiation of approximately 14 GHz causes the vapor to change in magnitude. 3 / 2 From 53D 5 / 2It can interact with photoelectron transitions to Rb vapor. If the RF electromagnetic radiation does not interact with Rb vapor, a narrow peak is observed in the optical transmission of the probe beam of light, which would normally be absorbed, as shown in the upper graph of the inset in Figure 2B. Such a phenomenon is sometimes called electromagnetically induced clearing (EIT). EIT can arise from interference between different possible absorption paths set up by the interaction between the vapor and the light field. Absorption by the vapor is suppressed by such interference, thereby increasing transmission through the vapor that would normally be absorbed. Other phenomena are also possible. For example, electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) can also arise from interference between different possible absorption paths, in which case the absorption (less transmission) of the vapor is increased. In some cases, a third laser signal can be used to induce EIA. In these cases, the probe laser signal and the coupling laser signal produce EIT, but the third laser signal is used to induce absorption characteristics within the EIT spectral line shape. It is also possible to set the laser signal to form a mode in which EIT is used to measure the characteristics of RF electromagnetic radiation by applying different detuning of the laser signal relative to the photoelectron transitions of the vapor.

[0017] When RF electromagnetic radiation interacts with Rb atoms in the vapor, and especially when the RF electromagnetic radiation has an electric field component that is near-resonant or resonant with the third photoelectron transition of the Rb vapor, an absorption characteristic is induced within a narrow peak of probe light transmission, as shown at the bottom of the inset. The absorption characteristic can split the narrow peak of probe light transmission into two transmission peaks. Since the Rydberg atomic transition has a large transition dipole moment and its amplitude is converted into a frequency difference, the measurement of the narrow peak and absorption characteristic can be sensitive to the RF electromagnetic radiation received by the exemplary vapor cell sensor 200. Because EIT is a coherent multiphoton process, it is sub-Doppler and therefore can be performed in the vapor cell sensor with high spectral resolution.

[0018] Next, referring to Figure 1, the exemplary system 100 includes an optical comb generator 114 configured to generate a comb spectrum 116 in response to the reception of a probe laser signal 104 (or a portion thereof 104a). In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the comb spectrum 116 is the optical signal generated by the optical comb generator 114, which has a comb shape frequency profile defined by the comb wire at each comb frequency. The optical comb generator 114 can be based on an electro-optic modulator, a mode-locked laser, an optical microcavity, a nonlinear optical fiber, or an acousto-optic modulator. Other types of optical comb generators are also possible. In some variants, the optical comb generator 114 includes an electro-optic modulator (EOM) 114a and an arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) 114b. The electro-optic modulator 114a can communicate with the arbitrary waveform generator 114b. Figure 1 shows a single electro-optic modulator 114a communicating with a single arbitrary waveform generator 114b, but other configurations of these components are also possible. For example, the optical comb generator 114 may include two or more electro-optic modulators communicating with a single arbitrary waveform generator. In another embodiment, the optical comb generator 114 may include multiple electro-optic modulators communicating with different arbitrary waveform generators. These configurations may enable the optical comb generator 114 to increase the number of comb lines in the comb spectrum 116, or to increase the bandwidth of the comb spectrum 116, or both. Other advantages may also exist.

[0019] The steam in the steam cell sensor 112 is configured to generate an optical spectrum 118 based on the interaction between the steam and the comb spectrum 116 and the coupling laser light 106. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the optical spectrum 118 is the optical signal supplied to the optical detector 120 (e.g., a photodiode). The exemplary optical spectrum 118 represents the optical transmission of the steam at the comb frequency. The optical spectrum 118 also includes properties (e.g., amplitude, polarization, phase, etc.) that change in response to the RF electromagnetic radiation interacting with the steam. Such changes in the optical spectrum 118 produced by the steam cell sensor 112 may correspond to changes in the properties of the RF electromagnetic radiation (e.g., changes in power, angular direction, angular shift, etc.). Often, a detectable change in the properties of the optical spectrum 118 indicates that the exemplary system 100 is detecting the steam cell sensor 112 This enables the detection of incident RF electromagnetic radiation and the determination of one or more characteristics of the RF electromagnetic radiation.

[0020] The exemplary system 100 includes an optical detector 120 configured to detect (e.g., measure) characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at one or more of the comb frequencies. In some variations, the optical detector 120 is configured to detect characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at multiple comb frequencies (e.g., a subset of comb frequencies, all comb frequencies, etc.). For example, the optical detector 120 may be configured to detect characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at two or more comb frequencies, and such detections can be performed simultaneously (e.g., in parallel) at those two or more comb frequencies. In some cases, the optical detector 120 is configured to detect characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at all comb frequencies simultaneously. Examples of characteristics include the amplitude of the optical spectrum 118, or the polarization of the optical spectrum 118, or the phase of the optical spectrum 118, or a combination thereof. Other characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 can also be detected.

[0021] During operation, the optical comb generator 114 can enable the exemplary system 100 to determine EIT-based or EIA-based peak profiles over a wide bandwidth. For example, each comb frequency of the comb spectrum 116 can enable the exemplary system 100 to simultaneously measure peaks at multiple frequencies across the range of frequencies occupied by the peaks. Such simultaneous measurements are significantly faster than iteratively measuring individual frequencies over that range. Simultaneous measurements can also enable the exemplary system 100 to more accurately determine peak profiles, particularly in situations where the peaks change rapidly in response to variations in RF electromagnetic radiation.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic energy level structure for two-photon measurements based on vapor-state Cs atoms. 6S 1 / 2 From energy level 6P 3 / 2 As indicated by the multiple comb wires extending toward the energy level (or around it), 6S 1 / 2 From 6P 3 / 2 The comb spectrum is used for interaction with the photoelectron transition. The comb spectrum is generated from a probe laser signal with a frequency of approximately 852 nm and may be similar to the comb spectrum 116 described with respect to Figure 1. 6P 3 / 2 From 55D 5 / 2 A coupling laser signal with a frequency of approximately 509 nm is used for interaction with the photoelectron transition. In Figure 3, the comb spectrum is shown with eight illustrative comb lines. However, there may be other numbers of comb lines. For example, the comb spectrum could include 10,000 comb lines over a frequency range (or bandwidth) of 100 MHz. Also, each comb line may have a different power that defines the power profile (e.g., uniform profile, gradient profile, sinusoidal profile, etc.). For example, a comb line may have a relatively uniform profile within a power variation of 3.06 dB or less.

[0023] Cs atoms in vapor state are also 53F 7 / 2 From 55D 5 / 2It has a photoelectron transition to 6S. RF electromagnetic radiation can interact with this transition, thereby 6S 1 / 2 From 6P 3 / 2 Photoelectron transitions to 6P 3 / 2 From 55D 5 / 2 This alters the absorption of light due to one or both of the photoelectron transitions to 6S. For example, as shown in Figure 3, 6S 1 / 2 From 6P 3 / 2 RF electromagnetic radiation at approximately 19.5 GHz may be used to alter the absorption of the comb spectrum due to photoelectron transitions. Such absorption can serve as a basis for the detection of RF electromagnetic radiation and the measurement of its characteristics. The presence of multiple comb lines allows for the simultaneous resolution of the EIT peak profile (e.g., its spectral line shape) at multiple frequencies. This feature contrasts with the probe laser beam shown in Figure 2B, where it is necessary to vary its single frequency to iteratively resolve the total light transmission spectrum. The accuracy of such iterative scanning is susceptible to changes in the light transmission spectrum or laser during the scanning period.

[0024] Next, referring to Figure 1, the exemplary system 100, in some implementations, includes a spectrum analyzer 122 that communicates with an optical detector 120. The spectrum analyzer 122 is configured to generate data representing the characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at one or more comb frequencies. In many variations, the spectrum analyzer 122 is configured to generate data representing the characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at multiple comb frequencies (e.g., a subset of comb frequencies, all comb frequencies, etc.). For example, the optical detector 120 can be configured to detect characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at two or more comb frequencies, and the spectrum analyzer 122 is configured to generate data representing the characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at the two or more comb frequencies. In further implementations, the exemplary system 100 may include a computer 124 that communicates with the spectrum analyzer 122. The computer 124 may have one or more processors and a memory configured to store instructions for one or more processors. When executed by one or more processors, the instructions can be configured to perform actions such as determining the amplitude of RF electromagnetic radiation, the polarization of RF electromagnetic radiation, or the phase of RF electromagnetic radiation, or a combination thereof, based on data generated by the spectral analyzer 122.

[0025] In some implementations, the exemplary system 100 includes an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) 126 configured to split a probe laser signal 104 into a first part and a second part 104a, 104b. The first part 104a is received by an optical comb generator 114 and used to generate a comb spectrum 116. The second part 104b may have a higher frequency than the first part and is receivable by an optical detector 120.

[0026] In some implementations, RF electromagnetic radiation (e.g., RF pulses or other forms of RF radiation) is received by the vapor cell sensor 112. RF electromagnetic radiation can be generated by an antenna or other type of RF generator located remotely from the exemplary system 100. The antenna or device can operate independently of the exemplary system 100. In some cases, the exemplary system 100 may include a source of RF electromagnetic radiation. The source of RF electromagnetic radiation can be configured to emit RF electromagnetic radiation toward the vapor cell sensor 112. In Figure 1, the source of RF electromagnetic radiation is shown as a horn antenna 128. However, other types of sources (e.g., other types of antennas) are also possible. In further implementations, the exemplary system 100 may include a pulse generator 130 and an RF generator 132. The pulse generator 130 can communicate with the RF generator 132 and can be configured to generate signals representing each pulse (e.g., its shape) of RF electromagnetic radiation. For example, the pulse generator 130 may generate a square wave with a frequency of 1 Hz and a duty cycle of 50%. However, other types of signals (e.g., sine waves, sawtooth waves, shape waves, etc.) are also possible. The RF generator 132 is configured to generate pulses of RF electromagnetic radiation in response to receiving a signal from the pulse generator 130. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the RF pulses are emitted by the horn antenna 128, for example, as short bursts of RF energy radiated from the horn antenna 128.

[0027] During operation, the exemplary system 100 can be used to detect RF electromagnetic radiation (e.g., pulses of RF electromagnetic radiation). Such detection may involve determining the characteristics of the RF electromagnetic radiation. For example, the exemplary system 100 can receive RF electromagnetic radiation at the vapor cell sensor 112. RF electromagnetic radiation can be generated by any source of RF electromagnetic radiation (e.g., the horn antenna 128, an unknown source, a remote source, etc.). The exemplary system 100 can also generate a comb spectrum 116 in response to the reception of a probe laser signal 104 (or a first portion 104a thereof) at the optical comb generator 114. The exemplary system 100 can further generate an optical spectrum 118 by interacting the comb spectrum 116 and the coupling laser signal 106 with the vapor at the vapor cell sensor 112.

[0028] The optical detector 120 enables the exemplary system 100 to detect (e.g., measure) characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at one or more comb frequencies. In many modified embodiments, the optical detector 120 enables the exemplary system 100 to detect characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at multiple comb frequencies (e.g., a subset of comb frequencies, all comb frequencies, etc.). Such detections can be performed simultaneously. For example, the exemplary system 100 can simultaneously detect characteristics at all comb frequencies. The characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 can be the amplitude of the optical spectrum 118, or the polarization of the optical spectrum 118, or the phase of the optical spectrum, or a combination thereof. However, other characteristics are also possible. The exemplary system 100 can also generate data representing the characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at one or more comb frequencies through the operation of the spectrum analyzer 122. When RF electromagnetic radiation is received by the vapor cell sensor 112, the computer 124 can determine the amplitude of the RF electromagnetic radiation, or the phase of the RF electromagnetic radiation, or the polarization of the RF electromagnetic radiation, or a combination thereof.

[0029] In some variations, the performance of the exemplary system 100 can be improved by removing the background optical spectrum from the optical spectrum 118. For example, the exemplary system 100 may generate a background optical spectrum through the interaction of the comb spectrum 116 with the vapor in the absence of a coupling laser signal 106. The background optical spectrum represents, at least partially, the background light transmission of the vapor at the comb frequency of the comb spectrum 116. The exemplary system 100 also detects characteristics of the background optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies (e.g., a subset of comb frequencies, all comb frequencies, etc.). The characteristics may be the amplitude of the background optical spectrum, the polarization of the background optical spectrum, or the phase of the background optical spectrum, or a combination thereof. Other characteristics are also possible. The spectral analyzer 122 can then generate first and second data. The first data represents the optical characteristics of the optical spectrum 118 at one or more comb frequencies. Similarly, the second data represents the optical characteristics of the background optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies. Using the difference between the first data and the second data, the computer 124 can determine the amplitude of the RF electromagnetic radiation, the phase of the RF electromagnetic radiation, the polarization of the RF electromagnetic radiation, or a combination thereof, when the RF electromagnetic radiation is being received by the vapor cell sensor 112.

[0030] In some implementations, the exemplary system 100 can generate a reference optical signal from the probe laser signal 104. The reference optical signal can function as a local oscillator for the exemplary system 100, enabling the exemplary system 100 to perform self-heterodyne spectroscopy measurements. For example, the exemplary system 100 may use an acousto-optic modulator 126 probe The laser signal 104 can be divided into a first part and a second part 104a and 104b. The first part 104a is the comb spectrum 116The first part 104a is received by the optical comb generator 114 to generate a second part 104b. The second part 104b is shifted to a higher frequency than the first part 104a by the operation of the acousto-optic modulator 126. The second part 104b, which acts as a reference optical signal (or local oscillator), can then be combined with the optical spectrum 118 from the vapor cell sensor 112 to generate a heterodyne optical spectrum 134. The exemplary system 100 can then detect characteristics of the heterodyne optical spectrum 134 at one or more comb frequencies (e.g., a subset of comb frequencies, all comb frequencies, etc.). Examples of characteristics of the heterodyne optical spectrum 134 include the amplitude, polarization, and phase of the heterodyne optical spectrum 134. Other characteristics are also possible.

[0031] The exemplary system 100 can offer advantages over standard methods for detecting RF electromagnetic radiation. For example, when the vapor cell sensor 112 is in Autoler-Townes detection mode, standard methods typically require scanning at least one of the probe laser and coupling lasers 102a, 102b across the optical transmission spectrum to perform the measurement. If a pulse of RF electromagnetic radiation is detected, the pulse can split the EIT-based or EIA-based peaks, and only the change in optical transmission is observed. The fact that scanning the probe laser or coupling lasers 102a, 102b is not required can be a significant advantage. The comb spectrum 116 can overcome the challenges associated with scanning the probe laser and coupling lasers 102a, 102b. Other advantages may also exist.

[0032] In some implementations, the comb spectrum 116 is generated using an electro-optic modulator 114a, which is further driven by an arbitrary waveform generator 114b. The form of the drive signal from the arbitrary waveform generator 114b generates a comb spectrum with a controllable frequency spread (or entire bandwidth) and comb tooth spacing. The comb spectrum 116 is defined by a series of "teeth" or comb lines whose density within a frequency range (or bandwidth) can be large enough to be quasi-continuous over the probe laser frequency of interest. For example, the comb spectrum 116 may correspond to the total amount of comb lines at discrete locations within a frequency range. Thus, to make the comb spectrum 116 quasi-continuous, either the spacing between comb lines or the bandwidth of the comb spectrum 116 can be controlled. In some cases, the quasi-continuous comb spectrum 116 is defined by the probe laser signal 104 This corresponds to a spacing greater than half the linewidth. In some cases, the comb spectrum 116 may be based on a frequency spacing between adjacent comb lines not exceeding 100 kHz. In further cases, such as when a third laser signal is used, the frequency spacing does not exceed 10 kHz.

[0033] Because it may be necessary to resolve the light transmission associated with detuning from each comb wire or resonance, the probe laser 102a is selected as the light source for the comb spectrum 116. For this purpose, after passing through the vapor cell sensor 112, the comb spectrum 116 can be beat-like (or synthesized) using the reference optical signal 104b (or local oscillator). The heterodyne optical spectrum 134 is based on the fundamental frequency of the probe laser 102a, but the bandwidth of the comb spectrum 116 is shifted by frequency so that it is detectable by the spectrum analyzer 122.

[0034] For example, if the bandwidth of the comb spectrum 116 is 100 MHz, the comb spectrum 116 may be upshifted by 120 MHz so that the entire bandwidth of the beat frequency can be detected by a high-speed photodiode (e.g., optical detector 120). A sweep frequency spectrum analyzer or a real-time spectrum analyzer can be used. At frequencies below 5 GHz, real-time digital signal processing techniques may be advantageous for practical field-usable devices. In amplitude schemes where the amplitude of the optical spectrum 118 is used to estimate the RF electromagnetic field amplitude, this method may be useful because the entire linear shape can be measured, thereby allowing observation and compensation of small frequency fluctuations in the center of the peak, thus reducing noise. A similar principle can be used to perform comb spectroscopy using a three-photon process by modulating the probe laser 102a. Other multi-photon schemes are also possible.

[0035] In some implementations, the exemplary system 100 enables frequency comb spectroscopy without the need to tune the probe laser and coupling lasers 102a, 102b. Sufficient power can be allocated to each comb line in the comb spectrum 116 to measure virtually all practical detuning simultaneously. Furthermore, large laser fluctuations up to 10 MHz can be compensated for by signal processing, and therefore the lasers do not need to be precisely locked (although locking may still be advantageous). However, in certain cases, one or both of the probe laser and coupling lasers 102a, 102b are locked to a reference frequency. The reference frequencies may differ between the probe laser and the coupling lasers 102a, 102b.

[0036] In pulse detection mode, knowing the absolute amplitude of the RF electromagnetic radiation pulse can be advantageous. If the pulse splits the transmitted peak, the signal received by the optical detector 120 may saturate the optical detector 120, and the pulse amplitude is unknown. By measuring the comb spectrum 116, the Autoler-Townes peak splitting can be measured, and the pulse amplitude can be determined. In the amplitude method, the change in peak height can be fitted to the model, leading to a better determination of the pulse amplitude, so measuring the entire peak can also be useful for determining the pulse amplitude. Therefore, since pulse amplitude is important for applications such as clutter rejection in radar, the exemplary system 100 may be useful for detecting pulses of RF electromagnetic radiation. Currently, given the drift and fluctuations of standard radar antennas, pulse amplitude detection is not feasible. The exemplary system 100 could provide the possibility of using pulse amplitude detection in radar for applications such as clutter rejection.

[0037] Next, referring to Figures 4A to 4E, graphs showing examples of comb spectra and light transmission peaks are presented. Specifically, Figure 4A shows a graph of an example of a comb spectrum determined by simulation (top) and experiment (bottom). Figure 4B is a magnified view of the graph in Figure 4A, showing individual teeth of the exemplary comb spectrum measured experimentally and simulated in the frequency range of 150.00 MHz to 150.10 MHz. The exemplary comb spectrum has a frequency span of 100 MHz and consists of 10,000 teeth with a power variation of 3.06 dB. The experimentally measured comb spectrum shows a slight variation in tooth power across the comb width, but exhibits excellent similarity to the simulated comb spectrum.

[0038] The example comb spectra in Figures 4A and 4B can be used to generate an optical transmission peak. For example, Figure 4C shows a graph illustrating an example of an optical transmission peak in the absence of an RF electromagnetic field. This peak is obtained using the comb spectra in Figures 4A and 4B, with both the probe laser and coupling laser locked. However, the background spectrum has been removed from the transmitted signal to generate the peak. The average of 50 scans, each with a scan duration of 200 ms, was taken. A Lorentz fit of the resulting transmission peak with a full width at half maximum of 4.9 MHz is shown.

[0039] To demonstrate the possibility of measuring transmitted signals without locking the laser, transmitted signals were also collected with both the coupling laser and probe laser unlocked. The data were obtained by the exemplary comb spectra in Figures 4A and 4B, with the free-running laser shown in the graph in Figure 4D. Due to the drift of the unlocked laser wavelength, the scanning time was reduced to 1 ms, and no averaging was performed. The signal-to-noise ratio decreases, but the peak is clearly visible. The optically transmitted peak has a full width at half maximum of 4.7 MHz. The data shown in Figure 4D demonstrates that frequency combs enable the measurement of transmitted peaks without laser locking. To show the effect of laser drift and jitter on the transmitted spectrum, four consecutively collected transmitted peaks are shown in the graph in Figure 4E. The ability to probe the transmitted spectrum without needing to lock the probe laser or coupling laser is an advantage of frequency comb spectroscopy. Also, the elimination of the need to scan the laser significantly simplifies the optical control system required to perform measurements in some use cases.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a graph illustrating an example of asymmetry in three frequency combs (or comb spectra) altered by background absorption of Cs vapor within a vapor cell. Such background absorption can result in a Doppler-expanded spectrum. For example, a frequency comb can be affected by the Doppler-expanded Cs background by detuning the frequency comb to its own distinct center frequency. The frequency comb is detuned, and "modulation" can be used in addition to the spectrum to map the Doppler-expanded spectrum of Cs. In Figure 5, the comb spectrum is passed through the vapor cell in the absence of a coupling laser signal.

[0041] In some modified forms, the RF electromagnetic field produces two frequency-separated transmission windows in 55D 5 / 2 The peak can be induced to undergo Autoler-Towns splitting. In certain cases, the frequency separation is expressed by equation (1) below.

[0042]

number

[0043] At low RF electromagnetic field strengths, the magnitude of transmission peak splitting may be difficult to measure directly, but it does result in a decrease in transmission peak amplitude. Figure 6B shows the change in peak amplitude for low radio frequency electromagnetic field power. The difference in peak amplitude, obtained by averaging the peak amplitude over a 0.4 MHz span centered at 162 MHz, can, in certain cases, be quadratic in the amplitude scheme. Figure 6C shows an example of this quadratic relationship. The weakest detectable electromagnetic field that can be defined as the last measured value before the change in peak amplitude falls below zero is 66 ± 0.4 μV cm. -1 That is the case.

[0044] To determine the system's sensitivity limits and how quickly data can be obtained, the acquisition time can be reduced. The spectral analyzer scan time can also be reduced to 1 ms, and the scan range can be reduced to 10 MHz. Next, the average of five scans is taken for each point. The spectral analyzer bandwidth is also increased to 5 kHz, thereby reducing the signal-to-noise ratio. To make the sensitivity more comparable to other results, the sampling range was reduced to 0.1 MHz during post-processing. All together, these changes can reduce the effective scan time per measurement from 20 s to 100 μs, while still allowing observation of the entire transmitted peak. Figure 7A shows the RF electromagnetic field-induced change in the transmitted peak amplitude obtained using these measurement settings as a function of the RF electromagnetic field strength. The difference in peak amplitude is shown in Figure 7B, and this difference is 234 ± 1.2 μV cm. -1 The minimum detectable RF electromagnetic field strength is 2.3 ± 0.02 μV cm. -1 Hz -1 / 2 This demonstrates the sensitivity and accuracy of the comb spectrum generated from the probe laser. Compared to single-frequency experiments, this provides greater sensitivity and precision in identification. Recovery of the whole spectral linearity allows for the observation of slight frequency variations at the peak center and can be used to correct the measurement. Observation of the whole spectrum can be used to reduce noise compared to single-frequency amplitude measurements.

[0045] In some aspects of what is described, the system can be illustrated by the following embodiments. The system can be used in certain cases to detect radio frequency electromagnetic radiation.

[0046] (Example 1) A laser system configured to generate laser signals including first and second laser signals, An optical comb generator configured to generate a comb spectrum based on a first laser signal, wherein the comb spectrum includes comb lines at each comb frequency, A vapor cell sensor configured to contain vapor and generate an optical spectrum based on the interaction between the vapor, a comb spectrum and a second laser signal, The light spectrum represents, at least partially, the light transmission of vapor at the comb frequency. The optical spectrum includes properties that change in response to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation interacting with the vapor, Steam cell sensor, A system including an optical detector configured to detect characteristics of the optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies among the comb frequencies.

[0047] (Example 2) A system according to Example 1, wherein the characteristics of the optical spectrum include the amplitude of the optical spectrum.

[0048] (Example 3) A system according to Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the characteristics of the optical signal include the polarization of the optical spectrum.

[0049] (Example 4) A system comprising either Example 1 or any one of Examples 2-3, wherein the characteristics of the optical signal include the phase of the optical spectrum.

[0050] (Example 5) A system comprising one of Examples 1 or 2-4, including a spectral analyzer configured to communicate with an optical detector and generate data representing the characteristics of an optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies.

[0051] (Example 6) The system of Example 5 includes a computer that communicates with a spectral analyzer and has one or more processors and memory, wherein when the memory is executed by one or more processors, A system that stores instructions configured to perform actions, including determining the amplitude of RF electromagnetic radiation, the polarization of RF electromagnetic radiation, the phase of RF electromagnetic radiation, or a combination thereof, based on data.

[0052] (Example 7) A system comprising an RF electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit RF electromagnetic radiation toward a vapor cell sensor, which is either an example of Example 1 or any one of Examples 2 to 6.

[0053] (Example 8) The system of Example 7, wherein the source of RF electromagnetic radiation is Including a pulse generator and an RF generator, The pulse generator is configured to communicate with the RF generator and generate signals representing each pulse of RF electromagnetic radiation. A system in which an RF generator is configured to generate pulses of RF electromagnetic radiation in response to the reception of a signal.

[0054] (Example 9) A system comprising either Example 1 or any one of Examples 2 to 8, wherein the optical comb generator includes an electro-optic modulator and an arbitrary waveform generator.

[0055] (Example 10) A system according to either Example 1 or any one of Examples 2 to 9, wherein the first laser signal has a first frequency matched with the first photoelectron transition of the vapor, The second laser signal has a second frequency that matches the second photoelectron transition of the vapor, and the second photoelectron transition shares an energy level common to the first photoelectron transition. A system comprising an RF electronic transition configured such that vapor alters the absorption of light by one or both of a first and a second photoelectron transition in response to the absorption of RF electromagnetic radiation.

[0056] (Example 11) A system according to Example 1 or any one of Examples 2 to 10, comprising an acousto-optic modulator configured to split a first laser signal into a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is received by an optical comb generator to generate a comb spectrum, and the second part has a frequency higher than the frequency of the first part.

[0057] In some aspects of what is described, the method can be illustrated by the following examples. The method can be used, in certain cases, to detect radio frequency electromagnetic radiation.

[0058] (Example 12) In response to the reception of a first laser signal in the optical comb generator, a comb spectrum containing comb lines at each comb frequency is generated, The method involves generating an optical spectrum by interacting the comb spectrum and a second laser signal with the vapor in the vapor cell sensor, The light spectrum represents, at least partially, the light transmission of vapor at the comb frequency. The optical spectrum includes properties that change in response to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation interacting with the vapor, To generate a light spectrum, A method comprising detecting the characteristics of an optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies among the comb frequencies.

[0059] (Example 13) A method of Example 12, wherein detecting the characteristics of the optical spectrum includes detecting the characteristics of the optical spectrum at two or more comb frequencies (e.g., a subset of comb frequencies, all comb frequencies, etc.) among the comb frequencies.

[0060] (Example 14) A method of Example 13, wherein the characteristics of the optical spectrum are detected simultaneously at two or more comb frequencies.

[0061] (Example 15) A method relating to either Example 12 or one of Examples 13-14, wherein the characteristics of the light spectrum include the amplitude of the light spectrum.

[0062] (Example 16) A method relating to either Example 12 or one of Examples 13-15, wherein the properties of the light spectrum include the polarization of the light spectrum.

[0063] (Example 17) A method relating to either Example 12 or one of Examples 13-16, wherein the properties of the optical spectrum include the phase of the optical spectrum.

[0064] (Example 18) One of the methods in Example 12 or Examples 13-17, This includes receiving RF electromagnetic radiation in a vapor cell sensor. A method comprising generating an optical spectrum by causing RF electromagnetic radiation to interact with vapor in a vapor cell sensor.

[0065] (Example 19) A method of Example 18, wherein receiving RF electromagnetic radiation includes receiving pulses of RF electromagnetic radiation in a vapor cell sensor.

[0066] (Example 20) The method of Example 18 or Example 19, The operation of the spectral analyzer generates data representing the characteristics of the optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies, A method comprising determining the amplitude of RF electromagnetic radiation, or the polarization of RF electromagnetic radiation, or the phase of RF electromagnetic radiation, or a combination thereof, based on data.

[0067] (Example 21) A method relating to either Example 12 or any one of Examples 13-20, wherein the optical comb generator includes an electro-optic modulator and an arbitrary waveform generator.

[0068] (Example 22) One of the methods in Example 12 or Examples 13 to 21, The process involves generating a background light spectrum by interacting the comb spectrum with the vapor in the vapor cell sensor, wherein the background light spectrum generates a background light spectrum that at least partially represents the background light transmission of the vapor at the comb frequency. A method comprising detecting the characteristics of the background light spectrum at one or more comb frequencies.

[0069] (Example 23) A method of Example 22, wherein the characteristics of the background light spectrum include the amplitude of the background light spectrum.

[0070] (Example 24) A method of Example 22 or Example 23, wherein the characteristics of the background light spectrum include the polarization of the background light spectrum.

[0071] (Example 25) A method relating to either Example 22 or one of Examples 23-24, wherein the characteristics of the background light spectrum include the phase of the background light spectrum.

[0072] (Example 26) One of the methods in Example 22 or Examples 23-25, Receiving RF electromagnetic radiation in a vapor cell sensor, The operation of the spectral analyzer, First data representing the characteristics of the optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies, A second set of data representing the characteristics of the background light spectrum at one or more comb frequencies, To generate, This includes determining the amplitude of RF electromagnetic radiation, or the polarization of RF electromagnetic radiation, or the phase of RF electromagnetic radiation, or a combination thereof, based on the difference between the first data and the second data. A method comprising generating an optical spectrum by causing RF electromagnetic radiation to interact with vapor in a vapor cell sensor.

[0073] (Example 27) One of the methods in Example 12 or Examples 13 to 26, The first laser signal has a first frequency that matches the first photoelectron transition of the vapor, The second laser signal has a second frequency that matches the second photoelectron transition of the vapor, and the second photoelectron transition shares an energy level common to the first photoelectron transition. A method comprising an RF electronic transition configured such that a vapor alters the absorption of light by one or both of a first and a second photoelectron transition in response to the absorption of RF electromagnetic radiation.

[0074] (Example 28) A method comprising generating first and second laser signals by operation of a laser system, the method being described in either Example 12 or any one of Examples 13 to 27.

[0075] (Example 29) A method of Example 28, wherein generating first and second laser signals includes locking one or both of the first and second laser signals to their respective reference frequencies.

[0076] (Example 30) A method of Example 28 or Example 29, wherein a first laser signal is divided into a first part and a second part, the first part of which is received by an optical comb generator to generate a comb spectrum, A method comprising shifting a second portion of a first laser signal to a frequency higher than the frequency of the first portion.

[0077] (Example 31) The method of Example 30, This involves combining a second portion of a first laser signal with the optical spectrum from a vapor cell sensor to generate a heterodyne optical spectrum. A method for detecting the characteristics of an optical spectrum, comprising detecting the characteristics of a heterodyne optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies.

[0078] (Example 32) A method of Example 31, wherein the characteristics of the heterodyne optical spectrum include the amplitude of the heterodyne optical spectrum.

[0079] (Example 33) A method of Example 31 or Example 32, wherein the properties of the heterodyne optical spectrum include the polarization of the heterodyne optical spectrum.

[0080] (Example 34) A method relating to either Example 31 or one of Examples 32-33, wherein the characteristics of the heterodyne optical spectrum include the phase of the heterodyne optical spectrum.

[0081] In some embodiments of what is described, the method can be illustrated by the following examples. The method can be used to detect radio frequency signals.

[0082] (Example 35) In a steam cell sensor, receiving an RF signal including radio frequency (RF) pulses, In a vapor cell sensor, receiving an optical signal including an optical comb, Acquiring an optical spectrum based on the output signal generated by a vapor cell sensor in response to RF and optical signals, A method comprising determining the characteristics of an RF pulse based on changes in the spectral line shape of an optical spectrum.

[0083] (Example 36) The method of Example 35, The light spectrum is Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) transmission spectrum of vapor in a vapor cell sensor, or Electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) transmission spectrum of vapor in a vapor cell sensor. Includes, Obtaining the light spectrum Multiple frequencies of the EIT transmission spectrum can be measured in parallel, or Multiple frequencies of the EIA transmission spectrum are analyzed in parallel. Methods, including obtaining.

[0084] (Example 37) A method of Example 36, wherein determining the characteristics of an RF pulse includes determining the amplitude of the RF pulse based on the Autoler-Townes division of the Rydberg state energy of a vapor.

[0085] (Example 38) A method of Example 36 or Example 37, wherein determining the characteristics of an RF pulse includes determining the phase of the RF pulse based on the Otler-Townes division of the Rydberg state energy of a vapor.

[0086] (Example 39) A method, either in Example 36 or in Examples 37-38, wherein determining the characteristics of an RF pulse includes determining the polarization of the RF pulse based on the Autoler-Townes division of the Rydberg state energy of the vapor.

[0087] (Example 40) A method according to either Example 36 or one of Examples 37-39, wherein determining the characteristics of an RF pulse includes determining the amplitude of an RF pulse based on a change in the amplitude of the optical spectrum.

[0088] (Example 41) A method relating to either Example 36 or one of Examples 37-40, wherein determining the characteristics of an RF pulse includes determining the phase of the RF pulse based on a change in the amplitude of the optical spectrum.

[0089] (Example 42) A method relating to either Example 36 or one of Examples 37-41, wherein determining the characteristics of an RF pulse includes determining the polarization of the RF pulse based on a change in the amplitude of the optical spectrum.

[0090] (Example 43) A method relating to either Example 35 or one of Examples 37-42, wherein determining the characteristics of an RF pulse includes obtaining a self-calibrated measurement of the amplitude of the RF pulse.

[0091] (Example 44) A method relating to either Example 35 or one of Examples 36-43, wherein the optical comb includes a quasi-continuous optical comb.

[0092] (Example 45) One of the methods in Example 35 or Examples 36-44, comprising generating an optical comb from a probe laser signal, A method comprising acquiring an optical spectrum using autoheterodyne spectroscopy based on an output signal and a probe laser signal.

[0093] While this specification contains many details, these should not be understood as limitations on the scope of the claims, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described or shown in the drawings in the context of separate implementations can be combined. Conversely, various features described or shown in the drawings in the context of a single implementation can be implemented separately or in any suitable subcombination in multiple embodiments.

[0094] Similarly, while the actions are described in a specific order in the diagrams, this should not be interpreted as meaning that such actions must be performed in a specific order or sequence, or that all illustrated actions must be performed, in order to achieve the desired result. In certain situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of various system components in the aforementioned implementations should not be interpreted as meaning that such separation is necessary in all implementations, and the described program components and systems can generally be integrated into a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0095] Several embodiments have been described above. Nevertheless, it should be understood that various modifications are possible. Therefore, other embodiments are also included in the following claims.

Claims

1. A laser system configured to generate laser signals including first and second laser signals, An optical comb generator configured to generate a comb spectrum based on the first laser signal, wherein the comb spectrum includes comb lines at each comb frequency, A steam cell sensor configured to contain steam and generate an optical spectrum based on the interaction between the steam, the comb spectrum and the second laser signal, The optical spectrum represents, at least partially, the optical transmission of the vapor at the comb frequency, The optical spectrum includes the characteristic that it changes in response to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation interacting with the vapor, Steam cell sensor, A system including an optical detector configured to detect the characteristics of the optical spectrum at one or more of the aforementioned comb frequencies.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the optical spectrum include the amplitude of the optical spectrum, or the polarization of the optical spectrum, or the phase of the optical spectrum.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a spectral analyzer configured to communicate with the optical detector and generate data representing the characteristics of the optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies.

4. The system communicates with the spectral analyzer and includes a computer having one or more processors and memory, wherein when the memory is executed by the one or more processors, The system according to claim 3, which stores instructions configured to perform an operation that includes determining the amplitude of the RF electromagnetic radiation, the polarization of the RF electromagnetic radiation, the phase of the RF electromagnetic radiation, or a combination thereof, based on the aforementioned data.

5. The system according to claim 1, comprising a source of RF electromagnetic radiation configured to emit the RF electromagnetic radiation toward the steam cell sensor.

6. The source of the RF electromagnetic radiation is It includes a pulse generator and an RF generator, The pulse generator is configured to communicate with the RF generator and generate signals representing each pulse of the RF electromagnetic radiation. The system according to claim 5, wherein the RF generator is configured to generate the pulses of RF electromagnetic radiation in response to the reception of the signal.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the optical comb generator includes an electro-optic modulator and an arbitrary waveform generator.

8. The first laser signal has a first frequency that matches the first photoelectron transition of the vapor, The second laser signal has a second frequency that matches the second photoelectron transition of the vapor, and the second photoelectron transition shares an energy level common to the first photoelectron transition. The system according to claim 1, wherein the vapor includes an RF electronic transition configured to change the absorption of light by one or both of the first and second photoelectron transitions in response to the absorption of the RF electromagnetic radiation.

9. The system according to claim 1, comprising an acousto-optic modulator configured to split the first laser signal into a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is received by the optical comb generator to generate the comb spectrum, and the second portion has a frequency higher than the frequency of the first portion.

10. In response to the reception of a first laser signal in the optical comb generator, a comb spectrum containing comb lines at each comb frequency is generated, The process involves generating an optical spectrum by interacting the comb spectrum and the second laser signal with the vapor in the vapor cell sensor, The optical spectrum represents, at least partially, the optical transmission of the vapor at the comb frequency, The optical spectrum includes the characteristic that it changes in response to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation interacting with the vapor, To generate a light spectrum, A method comprising detecting the characteristics of the optical spectrum at one or more of the aforementioned comb frequencies.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein detecting the characteristics of the optical spectrum includes detecting the characteristics of the optical spectrum at two or more comb frequencies among the comb frequencies.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the characteristics of the optical spectrum are detected simultaneously at two or more comb frequencies.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the characteristics of the light spectrum include the amplitude of the light spectrum, or the polarization of the light spectrum, or the phase of the light spectrum.

14. The vapor cell sensor includes receiving the RF electromagnetic radiation, The method according to claim 10, wherein generating a light spectrum includes causing the RF electromagnetic radiation to interact with the vapor in the vapor cell sensor.

15. The operation of the spectral analyzer generates data representing the characteristics of the optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies, The method according to claim 14, further comprising determining the amplitude of the RF electromagnetic radiation, the polarization of the RF electromagnetic radiation, the phase of the RF electromagnetic radiation, or a combination thereof, based on the aforementioned data.

16. The process involves generating a background light spectrum by interacting the comb spectrum with the vapor in the vapor cell sensor, wherein the background light spectrum generates a background light spectrum that at least partially represents the background light transmission of the vapor at the comb frequency. The method according to claim 10, comprising detecting the characteristics of the background light spectrum at one or more comb frequencies.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the characteristics of the background light spectrum include the amplitude of the background light spectrum, or the polarization of the background light spectrum, or the phase of the background light spectrum.

18. The vapor cell sensor receives the RF electromagnetic radiation, The operation of the spectral analyzer, A first data representing the characteristics of the optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies, A second data representing the characteristics of the background light spectrum at one or more comb frequencies, To generate, This includes determining the amplitude of the RF electromagnetic radiation, the polarization of the RF electromagnetic radiation, the phase of the RF electromagnetic radiation, or a combination thereof, based on the difference between the first data and the second data. The method according to claim 16, wherein generating a light spectrum includes causing the RF electromagnetic radiation to interact with the vapor in the vapor cell sensor.

19. The first laser signal has a first frequency that matches the first photoelectron transition of the vapor, The second laser signal has a second frequency that matches the second photoelectron transition of the vapor, and the second photoelectron transition shares an energy level common to the first photoelectron transition. The method according to claim 10, wherein the vapor includes an RF electronic transition configured to change the absorption of light by one or both of the first and second photoelectron transitions in response to the absorption of the RF electromagnetic radiation.

20. The method according to claim 10, comprising generating the first and second laser signals by the operation of a laser system.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein generating the first and second laser signals includes locking one or both of the first and second laser signals to their respective reference frequencies.

22. The first laser signal is divided into a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is received by the optical comb generator to generate the comb spectrum. The method according to claim 20, comprising shifting the second portion of the first laser signal to a frequency higher than the frequency of the first portion.

23. This includes combining the second portion of the first laser signal with the optical spectrum from the vapor cell sensor in order to generate a heterodyne optical spectrum. The method according to claim 22, wherein detecting the characteristics of the optical spectrum includes detecting the characteristics of the heterodyne optical spectrum at one or more comb frequencies.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the characteristics of the heterodyne optical spectrum include the amplitude of the heterodyne optical spectrum, or the polarization of the heterodyne optical spectrum, or the phase of the heterodyne optical spectrum.

25. In a steam cell sensor, receiving an RF signal including radio frequency (RF) pulses, The aforementioned vapor cell sensor receives an optical signal including an optical comb, The process involves acquiring an optical spectrum based on the output signal generated by the vapor cell sensor in response to the RF signal and the optical signal, A method comprising determining the characteristics of the RF pulse based on the change in the spectral line shape of the optical spectrum.

26. The aforementioned light spectrum is The electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) transmission spectrum of the vapor in the aforementioned vapor cell sensor, or The electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) transmission spectrum of the vapor in the vapor cell sensor, Includes, Obtaining the aforementioned optical spectrum Multiple frequencies of the aforementioned EIT transmission spectrum are used in parallel, or Multiple frequencies of the aforementioned EIA transmission spectrum are used in parallel. Including obtaining, The method according to claim 25, wherein determining the characteristics of the RF pulse includes determining the amplitude of the RF pulse based on the Otler-Towns division of the Rydberg state energy of the vapor.

27. The aforementioned light spectrum is The electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) transmission spectrum of the vapor in the aforementioned vapor cell sensor, or The electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) transmission spectrum of the vapor in the vapor cell sensor, Includes, Obtaining the aforementioned optical spectrum Multiple frequencies of the aforementioned EIT transmission spectrum are used in parallel, or Multiple frequencies of the aforementioned EIA transmission spectrum are used in parallel. Including obtaining, The method according to claim 25, wherein determining the characteristics of the RF pulse includes determining the amplitude of the RF pulse based on a change in the amplitude of the optical spectrum.

28. The method according to claim 25, wherein determining the characteristics of the RF pulse includes obtaining a self-calibrated measurement value of the amplitude of the RF pulse.

29. The aforementioned optical comb, The comb wires at each comb frequency within the frequency range, A frequency interval between adjacent comb lines that does not exceed 100 kHz, The method according to claim 25, including the method described in claim 25.

30. Generating the optical comb from the probe laser signal, The method according to claim 25, comprising obtaining the optical spectrum using autoheterodyne spectroscopy based on the output signal and the probe laser signal.

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